Under the Dome

On this week's episode of the Under the Dome Podcast, the SJ-R's Bernard Schoenburg and Doug Finke talk about the new laws being signed this week, including the legalization of marijuana, sports gambling and Tobacco 21.

The Illinois legislature has gone home for the summer, but the state government news continues in Springfield. Today, the SJ-R's Doug Finke and Bernard Schoenburg talk about Gov. J.B. Pritzker signing the Reproductive Health Act, details of the state's proposed contract deal with state workers represented by AFSCME and more. 

The spring 2019 session of the Illinois General Assembly is in the books, and some people are calling it "historic." Lawmakers accomplished a great deal, and The State Journal-Register's Bernard Schoenburg and Doug Finke review it all on this week's special post-session wrap-up episode of Under the Dome.

The Illinois General Assembly plans to work through the Memorial Day weekend in an attempt to address several big issues, including a graduated income tax and a capital plan. The SJ-R's Doug Finke and Bernard Schoenburg talk about it on this week's episode of Under the Dome.  

We're down to the final two weeks of the spring legislative session for the Illinois General Assembly. And there's a big to-do list -- a state budget, marijuana legalization, sports betting, a capital spending bill and more. Will it all happen? The State Journal-Register's Bernard Schoenburg and Doug Finke talk about it.

On this week's episode of Under the Dome, State Journal-Register political writer Bernard Schoenburg talks with SJ-R health reporter Dean Olsen about Dean's recent trip to Boulder, Colorado, to see how the legal marijuana industry works there. Dean will have a three-part series about his trip starting Sunday in The State Journal-Register. Also, Schoenburg talks with SJ-R Statehouse reporter Doug Finke about the ongoing effort to approve a graduated income tax in Illinois.

On this week's episode of Under the Dome, powered by The State Journal-Register, we preview the post-spring break return of Illinois lawmakers to Springfield as they rush to squeeze in as much lawmaking as they can prior to their scheduled May 31 adjournment. Sports gambling, recreational marijuana and a new state budget are all on the agenda. 

On this week's episode of Under the Dome, powered by The State Journal-Register, Bernard Schoenburg and Angie Muhs talk about the ongoing debate over whether Illinois should switch to a graduated income tax, Chicago Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot's visit to the Capitol this week and what could be a rematch between U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis and Democrat Betsy Dirksen Londrigan for a seat in the U.S. House.

A look back at the week that was at the Illinois Capitol.

On this week's episode of Under the Dome, SJ-R reporters Bernard Schoenburg and Doug Finke talk about efforts to get a discussion about legalized sports gambling kick-started at the Statehouse, a big anti-abortion rally that happened this week at the Capitol, the ongoing talks over legalizing marijuana and a new set of advertisements coming out that seek to influence you about the graduated income tax.

On this week's episode of Under the Dome, we discuss the Illinois legislature approving a bill to raise the tobacco purchasing age from 18 to 21. Plus, we talk about a report showing that more Illinoisans are choosing to go to college outside of Illinois.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker this week introduced his graduated income tax plan, which would discard the state's flat income tax and replace it with different tax rates that depend on how much money you make. Angie, Doug and Bernie explore the financial and political ramifications.

On this week's episode of Under the Dome, we discuss ongoing debate over Gov. J.B. Pritzker's desire for a progressive income tax in Illinois. Also, ratings agencies are weighing in on the state's budget situation. And, for the reason some of you have clicked on the Under the Dome Podcast for the first time ever today, we talk about adult film star Stormy Daniels' planned trip to Springfield later this month, which includes a stop at the Statehouse, where she plans to address a tax on strip clubs.

On this week's episode of Under the Dome, we discuss Gov. Pritzker's $39 billion budget plan and where spending will be increased and how they plan to pay for it and his plan to tackle the mounting pension problem.

On this week's episode of Under the Dome, we discuss this week's approval of the minimum wage increase in the Illinois House and the upcoming budget address from Gov. Pritzker.

On this week's episode of Under the Dome, we discuss this week's approval of a minimum wage increase in the Illinois Senate, calls to raise the minimum salary for an Illinois teacher and the ongoing push to legalize the recreational use of marijuana. 

On this week's episode of the Under the Dome Podcast, we discuss the prompt move toward increasing the minimum wage in Illinois to $15 a hour. Plus, state Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, wants the state to put $50 million toward a new Southern Illinois University campus in downtown Springfield. We also discuss the attention being given to House Speaker Michael Madigan's voice showing up in an FBI investigation.

On this week's episode of Under the Dome, we take a look at next week's start to the Illinois General Assembly's spring legislative session, which will feature a House and Senate with a more Democratic tilt working with a new Democratic governor. What will they accomplish? We also talk about Gov. J.B. Pritzker's busy week of signing executive orders and his choice for a new Illinois State Police director.

On this week's episode of the Under the Dome podcast, we review the festivities surrounding the inauguration of Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, including an appearance by Maroon 5, led by Adam Levine (pictured), the mystery headliner who played at the big inauguration party. We also talk about Pritzker's first week on the job, which included signing a gun-control bill and giving step raises to state employees.

On this week's episode of Under the Dome, we look at an early legislative win for J.B. Pritzker, even before he assumes the governor's office. We also look ahead at the various events happening for Pritzker's inauguration on Monday, Jan. 14.